Crack the Code on Wonky Periods

“Oh, it’s that time.”

There isn’t a woman alive who doesn’t know what those four dreaded words mean. Trying to crack the code on wonky periods can be exhausting – literally. PMS, or premenstrual syndrome, can rear its ugly head long before a woman’s menstrual cycle begins. Sometimes, it’s as early as 14 days before!

PMS isn’t the only emotional rollercoaster women can face during that time of the month. Irregular periods can wreak havoc on your daily schedule and interfere with planned events and everyday activities. You may be asking, “Lucy, is there any hope or help for those dealing with PMS or irregularity?” My answer is a resounding yes!

 

How do I know if my period is regular?

Every woman’s period is different, so this can be a difficult question to answer. Experts tell us that even though the average period runs on a 28-day cycle, anything between 21 to 45 days can also be considered normal. You may have noticed that’s a 24-day difference!

People say women have trouble making up their minds. (I guess the experts do as well). The average time from start to finish is 2 to 5 days – or maybe even 7. Are you starting to get the picture that a “normal” period can be hard to define?

Irregular periods refer to cycles that change with every period. So, what does that look like? Well, how much you bleed can be a sign of irregularity. Another indicator of an irregular period is how many days you bleed. Add a little PMS to the mix and you can be one hot mess, ladies.

What causes my period to go wonky?

Periods can act up worse than a teenager entering puberty! The Cleveland Clinic tells us what causes these irregularities can be any of the following factors:

• Lifestyle factors – stress, change in daily routine
• Birth control pills
• Polyps or fibroids in the Uterine or Endometriosis
• Illness – pelvic inflammatory disease, polycystic ovary syndrome, etc.
• Medications or changes in medication
• Exercising more or less than usual
• Pregnancy
• Menopause

Checking in with your doctor is the best approach to addressing irregularity in your period or any PMS symptoms you are experiencing.

Can I regulate my periods naturally?

If this all sounds bleak, don’t give up just yet! Modern offers some solutions for regulating periods and controlling PMS symptoms. The folks in the know say if your period is irregular due to a medical condition, surgery might be needed to correct the issue. Sometimes, doctors prescribe birth control pills or HRT (hormone replacement therapy) to regulate the hormones that control your period. Check with your doctor to see if these medical interventions may be necessary.

If you’d prefer a natural alternative before you consider putting artificial hormones in your body or having invasive surgery, essential oils might help. (We’ll talk more about that in the next section). Other things you can do to help regulate your periods include:

• Establishing a regular routine
• Eating a balanced diet
• Managing and reducing stressors
• Exercising
• Taking birth control on schedule

Essential oils get wonky periods on schedule

If you and Aunt Flo have been on the outs lately, there are some natural alternatives to try if you want to avoid artificial hormones in your body. Lavender essential oil has been known to help balance the body’s hormones, as well as provide stress relief. It also can promote relief from pain – including nasty cramping – during a period.

Ylang-Ylang essential oil promotes hormonal balance and reduces feelings of stress and anxiety. Boosting estrogen levels also can help with wonky periods. Clary sage essential oil is a natural way to encourage more estrogen production. It can also help balance other hormones that play an important role in regulating periods.

Have trouble sleeping because of those wonky periods? Try diffusing some Peace & Calming essential oil at bedtime. The glorious combination of Blue Tansy, Orange, Tangerine, Patchouli, and Ylang Ylang promotes a feeling of calm and tranquility.

Kick wonky periods to the curb

You don’t have to suck it up, buttercup when wonky periods make your life miserable. Drag Aunt Flo into some (essential oil) therapy by visiting my get oils page to learn more about getting started with the oily lifestyle. Shopping in the US or Canada? Visit our specific shopping links for each country to make buying a breeze.

Don’t forget to grab a copy of my book, “There’s an Oil for That,” to get all the tips, tricks, and fun in one easy-to-read place.